Ex-CIA Officer: US Millions in Aid Failed to Change Taliban Behavior

DID Press: Former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer Sarah Adams has criticized Washington’s Afghanistan policy, saying that millions of dollars in assistance have failed to moderate the Taliban, following reports of the killing of five members of a family in Sheberghan.

In a post on X, Adams said that “refusing a marriage linked to a Taliban member can cost an entire family their lives,” arguing that the U.S. belief that financial aid could “soften the Taliban” has proven to be an illusion.

She has repeatedly warned in recent months that portions of international aid entering Afghanistan—particularly through United Nations channels—may indirectly benefit the Taliban.

The comments came after former senator Rohila Dostum reported that five members of an Uzbek family were killed in Sheberghan after allegedly refusing a forced marriage linked to a Taliban member. Local sources say the incident is connected to social pressure and coercion claims, though the Taliban have neither confirmed nor denied the report.

Adams stressed that the Taliban’s power structure remains unchanged and that the group continues to rely on intimidation, violence, and social pressure to maintain control.

She also previously stated that while the Taliban benefit from international assistance, there is no evidence of behavioral reform.

Meanwhile, oversight reports from U.S. agencies, including the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), have alleged that the Taliban have accessed parts of international aid through pressure on NGOs, control of distribution channels, and financial extraction from aid workers.

Despite mounting criticism, the Taliban have not issued a response regarding the Sheberghan incident or the recent allegations made by Adams and Dostum.